Altra: Color Designer I, Footwear

Altra Running; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Altra Running is seeking a Color Designer I, Footwear to support seasonal color palette development and translate the creative vision into product color executions. You will collaborate with the design team to build color concepts and ensure color accuracy across footwear.

The role involves researching trends, preparing color CADs, and supporting tech packs while coordinating with Product, Merchandising, Design, and Development.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience in color design or related field.
• Ability to translate creative narratives into color concepts for footwear.
• Collaborative team member open to feedback and iteration.
• Foundational understanding of color theory and its application to performance footwear.

Responsibilities

• Support seasonal color palette building under the design team guidance.
• Translate creative vision into color executions for footwear products.
• Research trends, athlete insights, and consumer behavior to inform color direction.
• Create accurate color CADs and support tech pack development to factory standards.
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, Design, and Development to meet seasonal goals.
• Understand materials, color applications, and production constraints.
• Assist with sample reviews and communicate updates to the design team.
• Prepare seasonal design presentations to communicate color concepts and direction.
• Manage assigned tasks on time within the development calendar.

Skills

Team collaboration

Storytelling

Color theory

Athlete insight

Trend awareness

Communication skills

Feedback adaptation

Organizational skills

Flexibility

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Keynote

PowerPoint

Job description

ALTRA – Color Designer I, Footwear

Now that you've found the job description, what's next?

At Altra, we are on a never-ending journey to seek out opportunities to unlock potential in ourselves and others and to create a more diverse and inclusive running community. When we're all working together as the best versions of ourselves, we can feel empowered both individually and as a community.

So, before we get to the job details, take a minute to learn a little more about us – our values and our culture. If you can see yourself working side-by-side with a team of people driven to discover more about ourselves and the world around us, Altra just may be the place for you.

To learn more about our values and our culture, visit Altra Careers or www.altrarunning.com.

What will you do?

A day in the life of a Color Designer I, Footwear at Altra looks a little like this.

• Support seasonal color palette building under the guidance of the design team.
• Help translate Altra's creative vision and visual brand language into color executions for footwear products.
• Research and collect relevant trend, athlete, and consumer insights to support color direction and design ideas.
• Create accurate color CADs and support detailed tech pack development to factory standards.
• Partner with Product, Merchandising, Design, and Development teams to support seasonal goals, pricing needs, testing standards, and development timelines.
• Develop an understanding of material choices, color application, construction limitations, and color achievability on product.
• Assist with sample reviews, identify basic execution issues, and communicate updates or changes to the design team.
• Prepare and contribute to seasonal design presentations that help communicate color concepts and product direction.
• Manage assigned tasks on time and in line with the Altra development calendar, with regular guidance and feedback from the team.

What do you need to succeed?

We all have unique skills that we bring to work and celebrate every day. For this role, there are foundation skills you'll need to succeed and excel. Additionally, while formal education in a related field is great to have, we are most interested in your 1-2 years of experience and professional achievements.

• Be a collaborative team member who works well with others and is open to feedback.
• Interest in storytelling and the ability to support the translation of creative narratives onto physical product.
• Foundational understanding of color theory and how it can translate to performance footwear.
• Curiosity for sport, athlete insight, consumer behavior, and sport style trends.
• Ability to collaborate with designers and design leaders to support palettes, color flow, and category color strategy.
• Basic knowledge of color application, materials, dyes, finishes, and color achievability, with a willingness to keep learning.
• Basic knowledge of footwear construction, finishes, materials, and product limitations.
• Understanding of color mixing, color compatibility, and color placement.
• Awareness of emerging and declining graphic, material, and color trends.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop, plus Keynote or PowerPoint.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow established processes, organize work, and manage assigned tasks with guidance.
• Ability to adapt to feedback and make updates within seasonal timelines.

Now WE have a question for YOU.

Are you in?

Hiring Range:

$60,480.00 USD - $75,600.00 USD annually

Incentive Potential

This position is eligible for additional compensation awards that may include an annual incentive plan, sales incentive, or commission potential. Specific details of the additional compensation eligibility for this position will be provided during the recruiting and interview process.

Benefits at VF Corporation

You can review a general overview of each benefit program offered, including this year's medical plan rates on www.MyVFbenefits.com and by clicking Looking to Join VF? Detailed information on your benefits will be provided during the hiring process.

Please note, our hiring ranges are determined and built from market pay data. In determining the specific compensation for this position, we comply with all local, state, and federal laws.

At VF, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. If you require accommodations during the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. VF will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals to the extent required by applicable law.

Pursuant to all applicable local Fair Chance Ordinance requirements, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, VF will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.